CREATIVE EXPRESS provides emotionally safe spaces where young people can creatively express their thoughts, feelings and ideas in relation to their own and others health and wellbeing. It does this through the use of various mediums: poetry, painting, collage, creative writing, etc…
Themes for exploration are negotiated in consultation with young people, as is which creative medium might be used to explore them.
It also allows The Junction to explore various creative therapies…
…such as Bibliotherapy, Art Therapy and Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes…
…and to create bespoke projects and programmes in response to young peoples needs and interests…
…whilst promoting our organisation and meeting ‘new’ young people who may not have previously considered accessing The Junction for support.
Previous outreach has included sessions at The Citadel Youth Centre, Pilton Youth & Children Project, The Ripple Project, The Jack Kane Centre, Leith Library, local secondary schools and attending events like Edinburgh Pride Youth Space.
“Write To Express” our groupwork sessions that explore writing for therapeutic purposes, each programme tailored to the needs and interests of the participants
“Snack & Laughs” a partnership project with Leith Comedy Festival, offering sessions exploring the benefits of laughter and unpicking what gets in the way of young people engaging with live comedy as an audience member or as a performer
“Creative Canvases” a series of sessions
held at The Junction, were young people produced pieces for The Junction walls, and some for taking home
“Creating Characters, Cartooning Emotions” workshops with a local artist learning how to create cartoon characters, whilst exploring how we demonstrate emotions
“Space To Remember” an event we ran as part of the To Absent Friends Festival, where young people could reflect on the loss of someone
who had died
Film-making projects in partnership with Screen Education Edinburgh
Creative Express Drop-ins, blocks of weekly sessions where young people used the space to work creatively and flex their self-care ‘muscles’
“What’s Your Story” our project and performance as part in Scotland’s Year of Stories, is another great example of the types of projects Creative Express develops and delivers. Check out our page dedicated to What’s Your Story HERE!
If you want to learn more you can contact
April-Wendy Hayes our Creative Express Worker:
[email protected] or 07526204317
